A sting operation done by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office ended in charges against 18 people who were doing contract work without a license.

Those who ended up going to the sting house in the southern portion of the county were asked if they were licensed, registered, and if had the insurance coverage to perform the work they advertised.

Of the 18 charged, the majority were from Venice and Bradenton. The ages of those charged ranged from 25 to 77 years old.